The Necessities of Self Promotion and the Douchedom Associated With It

It's a very tricky game navigating the very thin line of self promotion vs. no promotion, and the barrage of a mind game that comes with the territory.

No one wants to be that guy bombing their entire social network, beating their chest, claiming their most recent achievement or accolade. That's annoying and arrogant. However, I've been that guy so many times and have found it impossible to share your work without venturing into that territory.

"Hello World! Check out my perfectly average work that I think is absolutely necessary you should know about".

That's what's blaring loud inside my head whenever I lift the covers off some of my work and share it.

Let's get one thing straight.

Good work does not require any self promotion. Like work that is actually good.

Unfortunately, 99% of us don't produce good work. Damn.So how do you walk this line?

Personally, I've had a good portion of work come my way through such shameless promotion. I'm constantly having a battle in my mind when posting for Run River North and dchae, not wanting to annoy people but wanting so badly to connect. Oddly, I don't think a lot of my work would be done without doing so. It irks me inside to do so, but I do feel it's necessary.

I suppose my hope is that it means something to someone, even just a little. Hopefully one person inspired to create more and in turn use the gifts you were given more, glorify more.

Also, I think it is absolutely necessary to share your work and all of its imperfections and mediocrity. It forces you to refine your craft. I sincerely believe putting yourself out there is more than half the battle.

Perhaps the key lies in involving your audience and making them feel part of the conversation, rather than making them feel they are a victim of your most recent sales pitch.

Any thoughts on this? Want to add to this? Hashtag gotemss, hashtag gotyaas

Some summer jams for ya. The ever talented Mark Redito has been hustling for years now (electronic meets outdoors) and finally getting the credit that's well deserved. While "Desire" put him on the buzz map, "Promise" seeks to give him that wider, breakthrough success. Pitchfork giving him an impressive 7.7 rating on this EP, can't wait to see what awaits him.

"Promise is a small introduction to Spazzkid, but one that highlights the project’s two strongest aspects—Redito’s directness and the lush music that makes him one of the most promising artists out of L.A. at the moment." - Pitchfork

I stumbled across something that excites me a couple weeks ago in Go Exposure, a web-design based company focused on photo journaling. I absolutely love when programmers push to offer something different to the web when it comes to web design and function >> see Squarespace, VSCO, theVerge, Bowtruss, and many many more. Exposure is currently invite only, hand-picked by the creators, but fortunately I was able to come across one.

Not only did I do a little dance when I got an invite, but my spread on Copa Vida got featured as well! Check it out and be sure to check out other people's work on Exposure.. so good.

Though their debut album won’t be released until late February, Run River North, formerly known as Monsters Calling Home, were the subject recently of a feature on NPR’s “Weekend Edition.” Based in the San Fernando Valley where the band members’ families relocated from Korea, their snappy light rock and chamber folk frames their tales of their parents’ dreams and struggles to find purchase in America.

Yesterday, Steven Tyler started the audience clap while we performed "Fight to Keep" at the Sunset Marquis. 'Twas a normal day, another show, another warm-up session, another prayer before the set, and another "it's morphin' time" before going on stage. Then Joe noticed Steven Tyler in the crowd. Insert stalker photo..

"What!?""He's here!?""He's probably here for the other band and will leave after""I don't wanna close my eyessss (wail)""Sweeeeeeet Emoooooootionnnnnnnnnnn"

After Foxbeard, Joe saw Steven impressed and quickly told Jen. Jen continued looking towards his direction as Fight to Keep started. I went over to Jen to give her a heads up on a violin part for the acoustic set, she didn't hear a word I said as she was too busy staring at Steven as he clapped. After the set, the crowd graciously asked for an encore and we finished the night with Mr. Brightside. End set. walk into green room. Then this..

He graciously offered selfies with Jen and Joe and offered kind words and advice. I tried to take a picture of him discreetly. I was so smooth.. I put the phone on vibrate, opened up the camera app, then took a picture. The flash went off and Joe looked over and said "...what are you doin?.." Steven looked at me and smiled.

*ASS* stamp on my life

It was refreshing hearing encouragement filled with expletives.. it kinda seems more genuine I suppose. He told us stories about life on the road and encouraged us to continue working, keep getting tighter til it's effortless.

New York City is such a busy and bustling place, filled with life, vigor, and ambition. However, sometimes this is easily confused with New Yorkers having the reputation of being rough, cold, and very to-the-point. Michelle and I thought it would be fun to paint a different picture by highlighting one color that stood out in a sea of muted colors, blacks and greys. It turns out the more we looked, the more we found, and what we found was something that altogether told a completely different story.

I'm a big believer that constraints encourages both creativity and focus. Rather than being restrictive, shooting only on the iPhone and only yellow enhanced creativity and excitement. We started to notice just how colorful people dressed, and with that, how many smiles that filled the warm summer air. The audio was recorded live in Washington Square Park, played by this awesome New Orleans Jazz Band that brought smiles to so many faces. The old man dressed in yellow checkers on the left created quite a scene.

I encourage you try this out! It would be to get a collective of these of different colors in different cities.